Savings options

If you’ve got some cash to spare, there are quite a few options that offer a better return compared to a bog standard savings account. Writing in The Irish Times this week, Fiona Reddan offers nine alternatives for savers seeking higher returns or better outcomes, such as paying off debt, investing in property, or keeping money in your bank account to avoid yearly charges.

“If you need to keep a certain amount on deposit in your current account to avoid bank charges, you should make this more of a priority than earning a dismal return on your deposits,” she writes.

Rental scams

In other news, Irish students are being warned to be on the look-out for potential rental scams, according to TheJournal.ie. Scams have seen deposits requested though the landlord is ‘out of the country’, several deposits taken from interested parties with the scammer then fleeing, or potential tenants going through the process and discovering that their keys don’t work and the landlord is unreachable.

“To ensure that renters avoid these pitfalls, gardaí have recommended a series of measures to make sure that the house or apartment exists, is available to rent and that the prospective landlord is authorised to rent out that property,” writes Sean Murray.

Tickx arrives in Ireland

Described as the answer to Skyscanner for tickets and events, Tickx has just launched in Ireland, allowing consumers to compare prices and purchase tickets to a wide variety of events. Partnering with major companies such as Ticketmaster, Seatwave, Eventbrite and others, the platform is free to use with Tickx taking a commission from any bookings made through their site.

The days of frantic website-hopping in an attempt to bag tickets to events are over as Tickx.ie has just launched in Ireland,” writes the Irish Independent’s Aoife Kelly. “Tickx is the UK’s leading ticket event aggregator which provides a one-stop shop where event goers can find out what’s on, compare prices, and buy tickets with no added fees.”